Domestication and centuries of selective breeding have changed genomes of sheep breeds to respond to environmental challenges and human needs. The genomes of local breeds, therefore, are valuable ...sources of genomic variants to be used to understand mechanisms of response to adaptation and artificial selection. As a step toward this we performed a high-density genotyping and comprehensive scans for signatures of selection in the genomes from 15 local sheep breeds reared across Russia.
Results demonstrated that the genomes of Russian sheep breeds contain multiple regions under putative selection. More than 50% of these regions matched with intervals identified in previous scans for selective sweeps in sheep genomes. These regions contain well-known candidate genes related to morphology, adaptation, and domestication (e.g., KITLG, KIT, MITF, and MC1R), wool quality and quantity (e.g., DSG@, DSC@, and KRT@), growth and feed intake (e.g., HOXA@, HOXC@, LCORL, NCAPG, LAP3, and CCSER1), reproduction (e.g., CMTM6, HTRA1, GNAQ, UBQLN1, and IFT88), and milk-related traits (e.g., ABCG2, SPP1, ACSS1, and ACSS2). In addition, multiple genes that are putatively related to environmental adaptations were top-ranked in selected intervals (e.g., EGFR, HSPH1, NMUR1, EDNRB, PRL, TSHR, and ADAMTS5). Moreover, we observed that multiple key genes involved in human hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathies, and genetic disorders accompanied with an inability to feel pain and environmental temperatures, were top-ranked in multiple or individual sheep breeds from Russia pointing to a possible mechanism of adaptation to harsh climatic conditions.
Our work represents the first comprehensive scan for signatures of selection in genomes of local sheep breeds from the Russian Federation of both European and Asian origins. We confirmed that the genomes of Russian sheep contain previously identified signatures of selection, demonstrating the robustness of our integrative approach. Multiple novel signatures of selection were found near genes which could be related to adaptation to the harsh environments of Russia. Our study forms a basis for future work on using Russian sheep genomes to spot specific genetic variants or haplotypes to be used in efforts on developing next-generation highly productive breeds, better suited to diverse Eurasian environments.
O bjective: To determine if age, breed, gender, weight or distraction index (DI) influenced the risk of radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) of canine hip dysplasia (CHD) in four common dog breeds; the ...American bulldog, Bernese mountain dog, Newfoundland and standard poodle. M aterials and M ethods: This was a cross sectional prevalence study with 4349 dogs. Canine hips were evaluated using 3 radiographic projections: the hip-extended view, the compression view and the distraction view. The hip-extended view was examined for the presence of OA. The PennHIP distraction view was utilized to calculate the DI. For all breeds, a multiple logistic regression model incorporating age, weight, gender, and DI was created. For each breed, disease-susceptibility curves grouping dogs on the basis of age were constructed. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were developed for each breed regardless of age. R esults: For all breeds, DI was the most significant risk factor for the development of OA associated with CHD. Weight and age were also significant risk factors in all four breeds, but gender was not. C linical S ignificance: Results from this study support previous findings, that irrespective of breed, the probability of radiographic OA increases with hip joint laxity as measured by the DI. Breed-specific differences in this relationship, however, warrant investigation of all breeds affected by CHD to determine inherent dependency of hip OA on joint laxity. Such findings guide veterinarians in helping dog breeders to make evidence-based breeding decisions and in informing dog owners to implement preventative treatments for CHD for dogs found to be at risk.
Spatial distribution of goat breeds bred in Benin Behingan, Milognon Boris; Mama, Adi; Houndonougbo, Pascal Venant ...
International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences,
07/2022, Volume:
16, Issue:
2
Journal Article
Open access
Characterization of local goat breeds is an important step for the development of its breeding. This characterization cannot be done without knowing the size and the spatial distribution of the ...existing breeds. Thus, this work was carried out to study the spatial distribution of goat breeds bred in Benin. To achieve this, 498 breeders spread across the three climate zone of Benin were subjected to semi-structured individual interviews. The data collected were the socio-demographic characteristics of breeders, the number of breeds bred and the size of the herd per breed. Descriptive statistics, and the generalized linear model of Poisson family were used for data analysis. Results showed that breeders were mainly male (54.02%), married (88.15%) with a high rate of non-education (65.26%). The number of breeds bred by breeders in Guinean zone was 3 (West African Dwarf (WAD), Sahelian and Maradi goat) but 4 Soudanian and Soudano-Guinean zone (WAD, Sahelian, Maradi goat and Saanen). Despite the diversity of this breeds in the climate zone, only WAD breed was bred by more than 80% of breeders with a livestock size of 6133.
The overall aim of gene conservation is the preservation of animal genetic resources (AnGR). Since the well balanced, diverse and healthy supply of food is a major element of the national food ...sovereignty, hence successful animal production is not possible without preservation of AnGR. Moreover, local breeds are considered as part of national treasures, cultural values, and pre-requisit for a landscape-friendly, biologically diverse and ecologically sensitive agriculture. In thematic gene conservation, our primary concerns are economically important traits, adaptability and biological diversity of breeds. Beside these, aesthetic and ethical issues to be considered as well.
•Lean beef fed mixed rations show highest content of saturated fatty acids.•Effect of feed on unsaturated fatty acids in purebred lean young bulls was minimal.•Best ratios of desirable fatty acid for ...human health correspond to unimproved breed.•Genetic background influences FA profile of beef fed with different feeding systems.
The objective of this study was to examine the effect of two feeding systems (traditional concentrate plus cereal straw vs. total mixed ration) on the fatty acid composition of beef in lean beef breeds slaughtered at commercial weight. Two improved breeds, purebred Charolais (n=60) and Limousine (n=60), and one unimproved indigenous breed, Retinta (n=60), were raised on either an indoor concentrate system or a unifeed system consisting of a mixture of maize silage and concentrate. Young bulls fed the total mixed ration system showed a higher percentage of saturated fatty acid content than young bulls fed with concentrate plus wheat straw. The intramuscular fat of Retinta bulls raised on a concentrate feeding system showed higher monounsaturated (587.3mg/100g edible meat) and lower polyunsaturated fatty acid (221.0mg/100g edible meat) than Retinta bulls that were fed with mixed ration. No feeding system effect on fatty acid profile of fat was observed for the improved breeds. At commercial weight, the percentage of fatty acid desirable for human health was higher (70.3%) from the unimproved breed than the improved breeds (69.1%). The results obtained confirm that genetic background plays an important role in the fatty acid profile of meat from cattle raised with different feeding systems.
Modern pig breeds, which have been genetically improved to achieve fast growth and a lean meat deposition, differ from local pig breeds with respect to fat deposition, fat specific metabolic ...characteristics and various other properties. The present review aimed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the differences between fatty local and modern lean pig breeds in adipose tissue deposition and lipid metabolism, taking into consideration morphological, cellular, biochemical, transcriptomic and proteomic perspectives. Compared to modern breeds, local pig breeds accumulate larger amounts of fat, which generally contains more monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids; they exhibit a higher adipocyte size and higher activity of lipogenic enzymes. Studies using transcriptomic and proteomic approaches highlighted several processes like immune response, fatty-acid turn-over, oxidoreductase activity, mitochondrial function, etc. which differ between local and modern pig breeds.
Latvia has two local Bos taurus breeds—Latvian Brown (LBG) and Latvian Blue (LZG)—characterized by a good adaptation to the local climate, longevity, and high fat and protein contents in milk. Since ...these are desired traits in the dairy industry, this study investigated the genetic background of the LBG and LZG breeds and identified the genetic factors associated with mastitis. Blood and semen samples were acquired, and whole genome sequencing was then performed to acquire a genomic sequence with at least 35× or 10× coverage. The heterozygosity, nucleotide diversity, and LD analysis indicated that LBG and LZG cows have similar levels of genetic diversity compared to those of other breeds. An analysis of the population structure revealed that each breed clustered together, but the overall differentiation between the breeds was small. The highest genetic variance was observed in the LZG breed compared with the LBG breed. Our results show that SNP rs721295390 is associated with mastitis in the LBG breed, and SNPs rs383806754, chr29:43998719CG>C, and rs462030680 are associated with mastitis in the LZG breed. This study shows that local Latvian LBG and LZG breeds have a pronounced genetic differentiation, with each one suggesting its own mastitis-associated SNP profile.
This study aimed to evaluate the productive performance and microbiota variation in the jejunum and cecum of two rabbit breeds with different growth rates. This study was carried out on Native ...Middle-Egypt Breed (NMER) and Giant Flanders (GF) rabbits from 5 weeks to 12 weeks of age. Twenty NMER (NM) and GF male rabbits were slaughtered, and the jejunum and cecum tracts were collected to assay gut microbiota composition via 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing and histology examination. At 12 weeks of age, daily weight gain, villus height in the jejunum, total protein, and albumin were higher in GF rabbits than in NMER rabbits. Also, the jejunal villi of GF were well arranged in their dense borders. The microbiota between the jejunum and cecum was significantly different in terms of Beta-diversity. A significant correlation between
(jejunum NM samples) and
(cecum GF samples) with body weight and weight gain was found (
< 0.05). Moreover, Escherichia-Shigella in the cecum of NM was significantly correlated with weight gain (
< 0.05). The most abundant genera identified in the jejunal and cecal contents of GF were generally beneficial microbiota. They may also play a role in reducing the pathogenic effects of
in these rabbits.
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